Easy garden plants

CaptionWax begonia (Begonia semperflorens)

Ball Horticultural Co. photo

"Beginning gardeners may not be familiar with the light levels or soil conditions of their garden plots," says residential landscape designer Kim Kaulas, of Chicago (kimkaulas.com). To meet that challenge, her vote goes to the wax begonia, with its glossy, succulent leaves in green, bronze or red, and its tidy mound of flowers. "They take a wide range of light levels and can handle wet-to-dry conditions," she says. The plants are annuals: Plant them after all threat of frost has disappeared (in our growing Zone 5, this usually is mid- to late May, but if you're unsure, ask an expert at a garden center) and they will last until the first hard frost in autumn, typically sometime in October. Wax begonias are usually sold in "flats" of six or more plants. "They come in various flower and foliage color combinations, they'll take full sun or full shade, they're drought-tolerant and they don't require deadheading," Kaulas says.

"Beginning gardeners may not be familiar with the light levels or soil conditions of their garden plots," says residential landscape designer Kim Kaulas, of Chicago (kimkaulas.com). To meet that challenge, her vote goes to the wax begonia, with its glossy, succulent leaves in green, bronze or red, and its tidy mound of flowers. "They take a wide range of light levels and can handle wet-to-dry conditions," she says. The plants are annuals: Plant them after all threat of frost has disappeared (in our growing Zone 5, this usually is mid- to late May, but if you're unsure, ask an expert at a garden center) and they will last until the first hard frost in autumn, typically sometime in October. Wax begonias are usually sold in "flats" of six or more plants. "They come in various flower and foliage color combinations, they'll take full sun or full shade, they're drought-tolerant and they don't require deadheading," Kaulas says. (Ball Horticultural Co. photo)

The National Garden Bureau (ngb.org) proclaimed 2012 as the Year of the Herb, and the bureau's executive director, Diane Blazek, touts basil. "It can be used in so many recipes, especially for Mediterranean and Thai dishes, and there are so many different varieties," Blazek says. "It would be fun to grow several of them and have a taste-testing party with foodie friends." You can buy starter plants at local garden centers and grow them in the ground or in containers that are at least 12 inches deep and wide. Keep harvesting the leaves from the top growth to prevent the plant from flowering (once flowers appear, the leaves will become more bitter tasting). "This will keep it bushy and healthy," Blazek says. Plant after all threat of frost in May, June and July for a continued harvest through the first frost.

The National Garden Bureau (ngb.org) proclaimed 2012 as the Year of the Herb, and the bureau's executive director, Diane Blazek, touts basil. "It can be used in so many recipes, especially for Mediterranean and Thai dishes, and there are so many different varieties," Blazek says. "It would be fun to grow several of them and have a taste-testing party with foodie friends." You can buy starter plants at local garden centers and grow them in the ground or in containers that are at least 12 inches deep and wide. Keep harvesting the leaves from the top growth to prevent the plant from flowering (once flowers appear, the leaves will become more bitter tasting). "This will keep it bushy and healthy," Blazek says. Plant after all threat of frost in May, June and July for a continued harvest through the first frost.

New gardeners itching to get their hands in the soil can benefit from plants that are good-looking, low maintenance and worthy of a place in their own parcel of paradise. Here's a smattering of different types of plants recommended by local experts. Get the full story: Beginner's pluck — Nina A. Koziol, Special to Tribune Newspapers